Kalinaw News: Mga Sumukong Rebelde, Nakatanggap ng Benepisyo Mula sa E-CLIP

From Kalinaw News (Jan 12, 2020): Mga Sumukong Rebelde, Nakatanggap ng Benepisyo Mula sa E-CLIP (By 4th Infantry Battalion)

Awarding Ceremony para sa pagtanggap ng anim (6) na dating rebeldeng NPA ng kanilang benepisyo mula sa Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) na ginanap sa Camp Winston Ebersole

BULALACAO, Oriental Mindoro – Matagumpay na idinaos ang isang Awarding Ceremony para sa pagtanggap ng anim (6) na dating rebeldeng NPA ng kanilang benepisyo mula sa Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) na ginanap sa Camp Winston Ebersole, Barangay San Roque, San Jose Occidental Mindoro nito lamang ika-7 ng Enero taong kasalukuyan.

Ang seremonya ay dinaluhan ni LTC ALEXANDER M ARBOLADO, Commander ng 4th Infantry (Scorpion) Battalion na pinangunahan naman ni Gov Eduardo Gadiano ng Occidental Mindoro kasama sina PCOL Joseph Bayan, Provincial Director OMPPO, Provincial Director Ulysses Ferraren ng DILG at iba pang ahensya ng pamahalaan.

Ang pagtanggap ng benepisyo ng mga dating rebeldeng ito ay isang katunayan na seryoso ang gobyerno na handa nilang tulungan ang sinumang mga gustong magbalik-loob sa pamahalaan para makapagbagong buhay.

Ayon sa mensahe ni Gov Gadiano, magsama-sama tayong tahakin ang isang lipunan na pinapangarap natin, isang lipunan na mapayapa, na maaunlad at nagkakaisa. Magsamasama at magkaisa para sa tunay na kapayapaan sa ating bayan.

Patuloy parin ang panawagan ni LTC Arbolado sa mga kababayan nating naliligaw pa ng landas na magbalik loob na sa gobyerno at tanggapin nila ang mga tulong na nararapat para sa kanila para makapagsimula muli ng bagong buhay at idagdag pa ang pagkakataong makapiling nila ang kanilang pamilya ng walang kinaiilagan o kinatatakutan.

Ayon naman kay Brigadier General Antonio R Lastimado, 203rd Brigade Commander, ang pagtutulong tulungan ng Provincial Task Force ng Occidental Minodoro ay isang patunay sa sinceridad ng ating gobyerno na tulungan ang mga nabiktima ng mga teroristang NPA na magbalik loob at mabuhay ng mapayapa kasama angkanilang mga pamilya.

Malaki ang pasasalamat ng mga dating rebelde sa benepisyong kanilang natanggap at gusto nilang ipabatid sa mga dati nilang kasamahan na patuloy paring nasa kabundukan na magbaba narin ng armas at sumuko na sa pamahalaan para magkaroon ng buhay na tahimik.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/mga-sumukong-rebelde-nakatanggap-ng-benepisyo-mula-sa-e-clip/

Kalinaw News: 2 teenage NPA rebels yield in Surigao del Sur

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 11, 2020): 2 teenage NPA rebels yield in Surigao del Sur (By 3rd Special Forces "Arrowhead" Battalion, Philippine Army)




BUTUAN CITY – Two teenage New People’s Army (NPA) combatants surrendered to the government and turned over high-power firearms and ammunition, the Philippine Army said Saturday.

In a statement, the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) said alias “John” and alias “Dave”, both of Matihatag town, Surigao del Sur, decided to leave the communist rebel movement because of the “miserable experiences” they had in the mountains.

In particular, the teenage surrenderers cited “hunger, exhaustion and the realization that the ideology they once followed” had become irrelevant, 3SFBn said.

3SFBn said the teenagers surrendered to the 7th Special Forces Company under the 3SFBn on Thursday and handed over an M-16 rifle, an M-653 rifle, and two long magazines with 86 rounds of ammunition.

The Army described “John” and “Dave” as “good buddies” who were both members of Guerrilla Front 19 (GF-19) of the NPA’s Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

3SFBn considers the GF-19 as a “weakened” guerrilla unit.

According to the military, the teenage surrenderers bared that they were recruited by a certain alias “Julian” in Brgy. Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, sometime April last year when they were both 17-years-old.

“As curious young individuals, they explored and joined the terrorist group but, in the end, regretted their decision because of miserable experiences. Starvation, exhaustion and the irrelevance of their existence as a terrorist group were factors for their surrender,” 3SFBn said.

3SFBn civil-military operations officer, 1st Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, told Philippine News Agency that the effort of the Marihatag Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) helped the two young rebels decide to leave the NPA.

Punsalan said the local MTF-ELCAC hosted a peace dialogue in Barangay Mahaba last month through its Poverty Reduction, Employment, and Livelihood Cluster led by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Surigao del Sur.

During the dialogue, he said the local officials discussed the Enhanced Local Comprehensive Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government to convince NPA rebels and supporters to return to the fold of the law.

Punsalan said the two NPA minors are now undergoing evaluation with the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for their enrolment to the E-CLIP program of the government.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/2-teenage-npa-rebels-yield-in-surigao-del-sur/

Kalinaw News: You don’t have territory in PH, Duterte to Reds

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 11, 2020): You don’t have territory in PH, Duterte to Reds
(By Philippine News Agency)

Communist terrorists do not have the right to assert ownership over areas they develop as their lairs, President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday.

Duterte issued the statement, as he slammed the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) for its relentless attacks against the government troops and civilians, despite his efforts to pursue peace and development in the country.

In his speech delivered in Pigcawayan, Cotabato, Duterte vented his frustrations that over 50 years since the insurgency problem emerged, communist insurgents continue to “pull the country down.”

“No isang barangay, hindi naman ninyo na-occupy. Puro kayo patay dito, ambush doon sa mga sundalo ko. Tapos sabihin ninyo pumasok sila sa teritoryo namin. Wala kayong teritoryo dito (You cannot even occupy a village. You just kill and ambush my soldiers. Then you claim they go to your territory. You do not have any territory). Let me be clear on that,” Duterte said, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commander-in-Chief.

“Wala kayong masabing inyo (You cannot say you own anything). This is the Republic of the Philippines,” he added.

Despite the holiday truce between the state forces and the communists from Dec. 23, 2019 to Jan. 7, NPA rebels carried out three strings of attacks against the police and military personnel.

In December last year, the President was open to the idea of reviving the talks with the communist movement.

Duterte formally scrapped the peace talks between state peace negotiators and consultants of CPP’s political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF), through the issuance of Proclamation 360 on Nov. 23, 2017.

Before resuming the peace negotiations, Duterte wanted to hold a dialogue with CPP founder Jose Maria Sison without the presence of a peace panel from both the national government and the NDF.

On Jan. 2, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Sison, who has been in self-exile in the Netherlands since 1987, should seize the opportunity to hold a one-on-one meeting with Duterte so they would have the chance to discuss the possible revival of peace talks.

Duterte maintained that the communists would only lose the battle, should they decline to resume the dialogue with his administration.

“Alam mo, itong NPA, huwag kayong… Hindi manalo iyan, not within a thousand years (You know, the NPA will never win, not within a thousand years),” he said.

“Puro gulo lang iyan. Fifty-three years now, walang ginawa kundi (They only know how to launch a war. Fifty-three years now, they have done nothing but) to pull the country down,” Duterte added.

He also signed on Dec. 5, 2017, Proclamation 374, which tags the CPP-NPA as a terror organization.

The CPP-NPA has also been branded as a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/you-dont-have-territory-in-ph-duterte-to-reds/

Kalinaw News: JUST IN: Encounter in Camarines Norte yields High Powered Firearms

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 11, 2020): JUST IN: Encounter in Camarines Norte yields High Powered Firearms

Recovered items by government forces after the encounter
Army troops in Camarines Norte recovered three M16 rifles, one grenade launcher, four landmines and other war materiel after a gunfight with NPA terrorists in Brgy. Batobalane, Paracale, January 10.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/encounter-in-camarines-norte/

Antonio Parlade Jr is new Southern Luzon military commander

From Rappler (Jan 17, 2020): Antonio Parlade Jr is new Southern Luzon military commander (By JC Gotinga)

The Army general is a known anti-communist hardliner



NEW SOLCOM COMMANDER. Major General Antonio Parlade Jr gets a new command. Photo from Parlade's Twitter page

A Philippine Army general known for his hardline stance against communist rebels assumed command of all military forces in Southern Luzon on Friday, January 17.

Major General Antonio Parlade Jr told Rappler he formally took over as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) in a ceremony at Camp Nakar in Lucena City, Quezon. He replaced Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay, who was appointed Army chief in early December 2019

Parlade is a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s “Hinirang” class of 1987.

His new command covers Calabarzon, the Bicol Region, and the island provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon. The area is one of the remaining bailiwicks of the communist New People's Army (NPA).

Before being appointed Solcom chief, Parlade was the AFP deputy chief of staff for civil-military-operations, J7.

Staunch anti-communist

He is a key figure in the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), which operates the government’s “localized peace talks” with individual fronts of the NPA and its militias. It offers guerrillas and their supporters cash and other incentives to surrender and return to civilian life, while the military and police continue offensives.

Parlade made headlines in late November 2019 when he showed up uninvited at a forum of progressive groups led by the Movement Against Tyranny and National Union of Peoples' Lawyers. The groups were airing concerns about so-called red-tagging by the military, or its branding of progressive groups as fronts for guerrillas.

The groups’ leaders were offended by Parlade’s presence and asked him to leave. Parlade later said that "he came in good faith to share our side and answer queries."

In February 2019, Parlade joined a delegation from the Presidential Communications Operations Office on a “truth caravan” to several capitals in Europe, where they presented the Duterte administration’s version of the war on drugs, its campaign against the opposition, and operations to quell the communist rebellion.

The delegation then asked the European Union and the Belgian government to cut funding for 30 groups that it said were the rebels' fronts.

The military is under pressure from President Rodrigo Duterte to end the communist rebellion before he steps down in June 2022. The government is trying to revive negotiations with the rebels' political arm, the National Democratic Front, but security officials say military offensives against communist guerrillas will continue unless Duterte orders a halt.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said peace talks would not necessarily require a ceasefire.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/249572-antonio-parlade-new-southern-luzon-military-commander

30 NPA rifles recovered

From the Mindanao Times (Jan 14, 2020): 30 NPA rifles recovered (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

Authorities recovered 30 Garand rifles and assorted ammunition and explosives in Mt. Gacob, Sitio Magkahunaw, Barangay Buhisan, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur last Friday.

The joint elements of the 9th Special Forces Company under the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion of Police Regional Office XIII recovered the rifles and explosives.

1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, the Civil-Military Operations officer of 3rd Special Forces Battalion, said they received the tip on the arms cache from two teen rebel surrenderees.

“The declaration of persona non grata on the members of the communist NPA terrorists by Surigao del Sur province and the institutionalization of the Local Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (LTF-ELCAC) of the Province down to its municipalities played a role on the influx of rebel surrenderees in Surigao del Sur,” Lt. Col. Joey B. Baybayan, the 3rd SF commanding officer, said.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2020/01/15/30-npa-rifles-recovered/

Police: NPA behind at least 360 heinous crimes in Davao region

From the Mindanao Times (Jan 14, 2020): Police: NPA behind at least 360 heinous crimes in Davao region (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

The regional police have recorded more than 360 heinous crimes committed by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Davao since 1990.

The Davao Police Regional Office (PRO) recorded 109 arson incidents, 103 cases of murders and ambushes, 70 bombings cases, 49 cases of kidnapping and abductions, and 31 robbery cases in the Davao Region.

“The killings, arsons, extortions and harassments they perpetrated over the past and recent years have transformed them into an organized crime group,” said Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal, the PRO 11 regional director.

Escobal said the NPA is also involved in the destruction of countless government and private properties resulting from the violent criminal activities.

During the said period, Escobal said the NPA claimed the lives of 175 persons in Davao.

Among the murder cases included the 1989 Rano massacre in Digos City, Davao del Sur where 39 victims were killed; the 2008 murder of businessman Vicente Ferrazzini in downtown Davao; the death of fisherman Larry Buenafe whose motorcycle hit an NPA-planted explosive in Buhangin District; and the 2018 ambush of police convoy in Bansalan, Davao del Sur that killed four police officers.

The NPA’s activities also caused injuries to 311 persons, which included members of the Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Center who were evacuating wounded soldiers in Bansalan in 2014.

Escobal said the heinous crimes perpetrated by the NPA members are clear evidence that communist leader Joma Sison has formed a coalition of criminals.

“To gain support, they deceived various sectors that they are revolutionary movement but their actions suggest that they are mere criminals preying on innocent students, indigenous peoples, and vulnerable communities,” the police director said.

Escobal said the PRO has been conducting manhunt operations against criminals who are masquerading as revolutionaries.

Among those that the police are hunting include Ronmel Tausan, Jolan “Raden” Suazo, Marjjoe “Yoyong” Sambilad, Marilyn “Cheche” Bago, Marvin Alberto Manibog and Ariel Castillote. The wanted personalities are facing various criminal charges before the court.

Escobal said the police, along with the military and local government units, will relentlessly pursue the “criminals who have been restraining the productivity of the Filipinos.”

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2020/01/15/police-npa-behind-at-least-360-heinous-crimes-in-davao-region/

NPA commander enters not guilty plea in 2016 kidnapping of cop chief, 4 others

From the Mindanao Times (Jan 17, 2020): NPA commander enters not guilty plea in 2016 kidnapping of cop chief, 4 others (BY NICOLE BURLAS)

A ranking member of the New People’s Army (NPA) yesterday entered a not guilty plea in the 2016 kidnapping of five police officers in Barangay Paquibato Proper, Paquibato District.

Leonilo Sumampong Gonzales, alias Kumander Banakon, is the fourth accused to enter the same plea in the case now heard before the sala of Judge Retrina Fuentes of Regional Trial Court Branch 10.

Gonzales is one of the 29 accused – mostly NPA members and supporters – in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of Chief Inspector (Major) Leonardo Tarongoy, then station commander of the rebel-infested Paquibato, and his subordinates Rosenie Cabuenas, Rudolf Paceta and Abdul Aziz Ali, and Neil Arellano on April 16, 2016. The victims were held against their will without any food for nine days. They were later released to then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who intervened in the case.

Fuentes set on Feb. 20 the next hearing of the case.

Gonzales, said to be a team leader of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani, was arrested in Barangay San Roque, New Corella, Davao del Norte on Aug. 11, 2019, three years after the alleged kidnapping incident.

Three of his co-accused, Elizalde Tormis Cañete alias Kumander Jinggoy, Gulberto Aligato alias Ka Boging and Wilfredo Bitacura were arrested ahead of Gonzales. The three detained accused, all officers of Pulang Bagani, earlier entered plea of not guilty.

Twenty-six other rebels are still at large.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2020/01/18/npa-commander-enters-not-guilty-plea-in-2016-kidnapping-of-cop-chief-4-others/

Gamboa: from OIC to PNP chief

From MindaNews (Jan 18, 2929): Gamboa: from OIC to PNP chief 

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 17 January) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday announced that P/Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, the officer in charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be the next PNP Chief.

“We have the PNP Chief — I’m going to appoint you as the regular PNP,” Duterte said as he introduced officials iwth him on stage at the thanksgiving gathering with the Fraternal Order of Eagles at SMX Convention Center here.

But he told Gamboa, “you and I will have — you and Secretary (Eduardo) Año and I will have a long, long talk first.”

P/Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, OIC of the Philippine National Police (PNP) named as the new PNP Chief. Photo courtesy of PNP

Duterte’s announcement was greeted with cheers and applause.

“Pinakita mo sa akin ‘yung sincerity mo (You’ve shown me your sincerity). I’d like you to leave something that you will be remembered by the country,” he said.

Gamboa, then Deputy Chief for Administration, has been serving as OIC chief since mid- October last year when P/Gen. Oscar Albayalde resigned as PNP Chief ahead of his retirement in November following allegations he intervened on behalf of his men who were involved in a raid on illegal drugs in 2013.

The new PNP Chief is a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Sinagtala Class of 1986, whose classmates include Albayalde and Duterte’s first PNP chief, Ronald dela Rosa, now Senator.

Gamboa served as spokesperson of the PNP in the Davao Region from December 1997 when Duterte was ending his third term as city mayor, until September 2002, when Duterte, who served as 1st district representative from 1998 to 2001, was back as mayor. He enrolled in law school at the Ateneo de Davao University in 1998 but finished the course in Luzon and became a lawyer in 2004.

His other Mindanao assignments include serving as Bukdinon police chief from May 2005 to January 2007 and Chief of the Regional Comptrollership Division of the Caraga Regional Police Office from July 2008 to October 2009.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/01/gamboa-from-oic-to-pnp-chief/

Abu Sayyaf 'ransom negotiator' nabbed in Zambo port

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 17, 2020): Abu Sayyaf 'ransom negotiator' nabbed in Zambo port (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

ARRESTED. Police operatives arrest on Friday (Jan. 17) Benhajar Salapuddin Alan, an Abu Sayyaf ransom negotiator, at the port of Zamboanga City. He allegedly worked as a ransom negotiator for the bandit group. (Photo courtesy of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao)

Government operatives arrested an alleged Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member who was involved in the recent killing of a police officer in Sulu, an official said Friday.

Brig. Gen. Marni Marcos Jr., Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM) director, identified the suspect as Benhajar Salapuddin Alan, of Barangay Sta. Barbara.

Marcos said Alan, who was arrested by a joint police team from Sulu and this city around 5 a.m. Friday has a standing warrant of arrest for murder.

Alan is allegedly a follower of the slain ASG senior leader Albader Parad and was one of the group’s ransom negotiators.

Police said Alan was also involved in illegal drug sand gun-for-hire activities here and in the province of Sulu.

Marcos said Alan is the primary suspect in the killing of Joemer Hashim Jawadin on Dec. 7, 2015.

He said Alan was also involved in the killing of a police officer, Lt. Sali Salim, and a certain Jipon, an informant, during an anti-drug operation last January 12 in Sitio Baunoh, Barangay Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu.

Marcos said Alan’s arrest was the result of an intelligence-driven operation by the Sulu Police Provincial Office in coordination with other the police and the military.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1091163

Army activates 2 more artillery batteries

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 17, 2020): Army activates 2 more artillery batteries (By Priam Nepomuceno)



NEW ARTILLERY BATTERIES. Army chief, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay (left) leads the activation ceremony of the 2nd Air Defense Artillery Battery and 2nd Field Artillery Battery in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2020). The new units will help in safeguarding and preserving Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Photo courtesy of Army Chief Public Affairs Office)

The Philippine Army (PA) said on Thursday it has activated its 2nd Air Defense Artillery Battery and 2nd Field Artillery Battery, during short ceremonies in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija last January 15, in line with ongoing efforts to update its defensive capabilities.

These units are under the PA's Army Artillery Regiment (AAR), Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said in a statement.

Army chief, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, AAR commander Brig. Gen. Virgilio Bartolome and the commanding officers of the two newly-activated units led the activation ceremony.

Zagala said an air defense battery is designed to provide air defense for Army units, areas, and installations against unmanned aerial vehicles or remotely-piloted vehicles as well as fixed and rotary aircraft.

Meanwhile, a field artillery battery will help in troop maneuver to destroy, neutralize, and suppress the enemies through its fire support to maneuver units.

A battery is generally composed of six artillery tubes, rocket or missile launchers.

Zagala said these combined units shall provide a lethal force for a modern PA.

The new units also align with national security priority to safeguard and preserve the Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“To the commanders of the new units, I challenge you to lead your respective batteries with drive and dynamism,” Gapay said during the event.

These newly activated batteries are also part of the development of its anti-access and area denial capabilities in pursuit of its vision of becoming a World-Class Army by 2028, he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1091154

PRRD ok’d P36-B fund for anti-insurgency program: Esperon

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 17, 2020): PRRD ok’d P36-B fund for anti-insurgency program: Esperon (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)



President Rodrigo Duterte. (Presidential Photo)

President Rodrigo Duterte has granted the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) around PHP36.439 billion in government funds that will be earmarked for the implementation of programs intended to counter insurgency in the country.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who concurrently serves as vice-chairperson of the NTF-ELCAC, made the announcement during the launching of the “Duterte Legacy” campaign at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Friday.

Esperon said the Chief Executive approved the proposed budget by the NTF-ELCAC during the 45th Cabinet meeting held at Malacañan Palace on January 6.

He made the announcement, as he noted that the members of the communist movement or communist terror group (CTG) are infiltrating about 2,379 villages nationwide.

So far, the government was able to clear around 842 rebel-infested villages all throughout the country, Esperon said.

“There remain to be 2,739 barangays (villages) categorized as threatened by CTG’s expansion activities. All of these barangays (villages) need development interventions from the government to clear and protect them from CTG communist terrorist group’s influence,” he said in his speech.

“Towards this call, the President, last Cabinet meeting, approved a total of PHP36 billion for 2020 until 2021 and this fund will be used for projects and programs such as farm-to-market roads, water systems, school buildings, health stations, livelihood programs and other programs that will be identified,” Esperon added.

Around PHP20.150 billion of the PHP36.439-billion budget will be used this year for cleared villages, while the remaining PHP16.288 billion will be appropriated next year for development projects, based on the presentation shown during the event.

Esperon’s presentation showed that the Visayas has 1,043 rebel-infested villages – the highest number recorded by the government.

This is followed by Southern Luzon with 615, Eastern Mindanao with 470, Northern Luzon with 466, Western Mindanao with 77, and Palawan with 68.

On Nov. 23, 2017, the President shelved the government’s peace negotiations with the communists through Proclamation 360 due to a series of attacks waged by NPA rebels against state forces and civilians.

This was followed by Duterte’s signing of Proclamation 374 on Dec. 5, 2017, which brands the CPP-NPA as a terror organization because of their supposed actions “against the Filipino people, against humanity, and against the law of nations.”

Duterte, however, on Dec. 4, 2018, signed Executive Order (EO) 70, institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach that will be implemented by the NTF-ELCAC, in a bid to attain "inclusive and sustainable peace.”

EO 70 likewise orders local peace bodies to negotiate with communist insurgents in their respective areas.

Duterte, in December 2019, said a possible resumption of talks with the communists would be his "last card."

On January 4, Duterte acknowledged that the continued existence of communism in the country affects the country’s economic growth.

Communists ‘primary threat’ to Filipinos

Esperon said the government considers the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA), and National Democratic Front (NDF) as the “primary political threat” to Filipinos democratic way of life.

Nevertheless, the government is doing its best to address the insurgency problems in the country, he said.

While the possible revival of talks has yet to materialize, Esperon said the conduct of the localized peace engagements continues and remain to be “nationally-orchestrated, directed and supervised.”

“There’s the local peace dialogue. There are also two options for localization. Leaders or members of the CTG may either enter a local level peace agreement with the local peace panel or they may directly avail of the e-CLIP or the enhanced comprehensive integration program,” he said.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terror group by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1091220

OPAPP ‘exceeded’ target in decommissioning MILF

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 17, 2020): OPAPP ‘exceeded’ target in decommissioning MILF (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)



PEACE SITUATION. Presidential Peace Adviser chief-of-staff and spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Wilben Mayor, delivers his speech during the “Duterte Legacy” campaign launch at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Friday (Jan. 17, 2020). Mayor said 1,542 out of 2,000 firearms and 617 ammunition were already turned over to the government by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (PNA photo by Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has “exceeded” its target to decommission members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), its spokesperson said on Friday.

During the “Duterte Legacy” campaign launch, Presidential Peace Adviser chief-of-staff and spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Wilben Mayor, noted that about 8,879 out of the 12,000 MILF combatants were decommissioned from the last quarter of 2019.

Mayor added that 1,542 out of 2,000 firearms and 617 ammunition have been turned over to the government by the MILF.

“We are proud to report that we have exceeded our targets in the decommissioning of MILF combatants and their weapons,” he said in a speech delivered at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

“We achieved milestone after milestone, which demonstrates the commitment and resolve of the Duterte administration for peace process.”

The decommissioning of Moro combatants is under the normalization track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) inked between the national government and the MILF in 2014.

Mayor said the decommissioned MILF combatants have been trained to be part of the joint peace and security teams.

He said they would serve as “peacekeeping forces” in their communities and in the areas where decommissioning is taking place.

“The decommissioned combatants received PHP100,000 immediate cash allotment for socio-economic livelihood to transition them to a productive civilian,” Mayor said.

“In our camp transformation programs, we have a series of agricultural exposure programs and series of planning sessions to capacitate the MNLF base and front commanders so that they have the essential skills for agribusiness and food production.”

Meanwhile, the first track of the CAB, which is the political path, has paved the way for the passage and ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The BOL established the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), replacing the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The BARMM enjoys expanded land and water jurisdiction, greater fiscal autonomy, and increased share in national government resources, among others.

The new Bangsamoro region is composed of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Marawi City, Lamitan City, Cotabato City, and 63 villages in North Cotabato.

BARMM chief minister Murad Ebrahim, also present during the event, thanked the President for fulfilling his promise of ending the decades-long struggles of the Moro people.

“This Bangsamoro Organic Law provides the creation of an autonomous government in southern Philippines region,” he said.

“We have struggled for more than 50 years. We have passed so many presidents and I think, if not for President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, I think it is still very difficult to achieve a law that will translate the agreement and the implementation of the agreement,” Ebrahim added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1091229

FRs laud gov’t for providing free skills training

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 15, 2020): FRs laud gov’t for providing free skills training (By Gideon C. Corgue)

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 15 (PIA) - - - Former rebels (FRs) had expressed their gratitude to national government agencies for providing skills training to poor people.

Eleuterio Pardillo, 45 years old and a former squad leader of SICOM KARA, Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee said the month-long free skills training provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to the FRs will indeed be a good help in their soon integration back to society.

“Nakita ug nabati namo ang pagkamatinud-anon ug pagkaseryoso sa gobyerno paghatag sa ilang serbisyo sa kabus nga mga tawo ilabi na atua sa hilit kaayo nga dapit nga nagkinahanglan ug tabang sa kagamhanan,” said Pardillo.

(We have seen and felt the sincerity and seriousness of the government in providing services to the poor people particularly in the far-flung areas who need help from the government.

Some 25 former rebels underwent a one-month skills training on organic agriculture production by TESDA at the ten-hectare demo farm of the 53rd Infantry (Matapat) Battalion, Philippine Army in Guipos town on December 2019.

The FRs were trained to produce organic supplements such as fertilizer and concoction and extracts. After the training, they will undergo another training on crop production using an organic approach.

Pardillo said the training provided them the necessary skills in organic farming and eventually will help him and his family to have a sustainable livelihood opportunities.

“This training will greatly help us (FRs) to become highly productive people in the society,” he said.

Provincial Director Omarkhayyam Dalagan challenged the graduates saying, “make use of what you learned to develop and help yourselves. Remember, no one will help you except yourself."

He wants the FRs to become better by availing the training opportunities and programs of their agency.

Dalagan also announced that TESDA will reach out even in the remotest areas as per mandate and the agency’s slogan suggests “TESDA Abot Lahat”.

“We will explore the mountains. We will visit the barangays to inform the poor people on the programs and services of TESDA."

Meanwhile, John Regala, board member of the second district inspired the graduates not to stop in pursuing new knowledge.” Grab every opportunity that the government is providing,” he concluded. (EDT/GCC/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1032739

IP leaders in Gutalac, Baliguian, Siocon pledge support to gov't vs CTGs

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 15, 2020): IP leaders in Gutalac, Baliguian, Siocon pledge support to gov't vs CTGs (By Emmanuel D. Taghoy)

BALIGUIAN, Zamboanga del Norte, Jan 15 (PIA) - - - More indigenous peoples’ (IP) communities in the province are taking a stand against communist terrorist groups.

In a Gukom Tribal Leaders forum held recently, some 44 tribal leaders of the Subanen tribe from the towns of Gutalac, Baliguian and Siocon convened to discuss initiatives in thwarting communist terrorist groups activities in their ancestral domain.

A total of 70 IPs attended the activity and pledged their support to the government in ending local communist armed conflict through signing a commitment.

The Tribal Leaders Council came up with resolutions seeking the assistance of various government agencies for livelihood and development which they submitted to the Regional Task Force (RTF)-ELCAC.

It can be recalled that the Subanen tribe had formed an IP Federation as a show of support to the government’s campaign in the implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order no. 70 emphasizing a whole nation approach, convergence of the various government line agencies in addressing local communist armed conflict.

Presently, the group has about 3,000 IP members all over the region and neighboring provinces. (EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1032795